Ten NFL draft prospects with most to prove at Senior Bowl

"Adolphus Washington, Ohio State, DT:

There is no disputing his potential as a disruptive interior defender, yet scouts are more concerned with his character after a solicitation charge led to a team-imposed suspension that prematurely ended his collegiate career. Washington pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge last week.

Thus, Washington will need to score major points in interviews to get scouts to redirect their attention back to his on-field exploits."



http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000 ... enior-bowl



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ivotuk":1rf61nro said:

"Adolphus Washington, Ohio State, DT:

There is no disputing his potential as a disruptive interior defender, yet scouts are more concerned with his character after a solicitation charge led to a team-imposed suspension that prematurely ended his collegiate career. Washington pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge last week.

Thus, Washington will need to score major points in interviews to get scouts to redirect their attention back to his on-field exploits."

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Just keep repeating -- Marcus Peters, Lael Collins, Frank Clark.

The only reason not to take a player with some character concerns is if you think you can't handle him. Meaning you're not fit to be a NFL coach.

Overseasfan":1fgmwdm4 said:

The only reason not to take a player with some character concerns is if you think you can't handle him. Meaning you're not fit to be a NFL coach.

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Early on Pete specifically passed on CB Jimmy Smith in 2011 because he knew he didn't have the locker room leadership in place to deal with players with character concerns. So in that case, it was Carroll's competence that allowed him to pass on a potentially troubled player.

But as leaders emerged, the Seahawks took more leniency on those issues.

Overseasfan":27quc4ty said:

The only reason not to take a player with some character concerns is if you think you can't handle him. Meaning you're not fit to be a NFL coach.

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That's total bunk.

The reason you don't take a player is because you're not convinced they will straighten out. Ultimately each individual has to come to a decision point to not do these things. Not all players ever reach that point.

The reality is, players are grown men. And that means they make choices for themselves. Some mature and some do not. It's not incumbent on a coach to handle them. They have to be responsible for themselves.

Some environments can make that maturing process easier. But the bottom line is players own their own failures in this regard.